Five minute vacation to the mountains....

Another beautiful site, this one by SEAWALLRUNNER. The photography throughout is absolutely stunning. To wit:

...and also:

Things Are Not Always as They Seem

My friend Eric (who seems to be MIA of late) sent me this information a while back. It's a host of optical illusions, which I really enjoy. I had only seen three or four of these, so it was quite the revelation.

I really liked this one. There is a human face somewhere in the mass of beans. The weird thing is that, once you see it, it's pretty much ALL you see.

I used to teach a high school course on World Cultures, and one of my opening activities was trying to explain ethnocentrism. One of the ways I did this was through optical illusions. I tried to get them to understand that the way YOU see things is not necessarily the way other people see things, or even the way they really are. Among a host of others, I used the classic old woman/young girl picture and let them try to prove their side before explaining the picture, and that both sides were right.

...and for some reason...

I simply LOVE The Sartorialist. It's simple, elegant, and beautifully done, just like the people portrayed on its pages. Along with this picture...


....he wrote:

So I asked this guy if I could take his photo.

With a slightly confused look and a deep French accent this young gentleman offered me a cigarette.

I explained again that I thought his outfit looked great and that I would like to take his photo. This time he got it.

He looked at me, then looked at his own outfit and said "you like my outfit because we are dressed the same."

I hadn't noticed but he was right!

We both had on jeans, blue cardigan, white shirt, and old-school sneakers.

I only hope I can carry it off as well as he does when I'm his age - please, anyone that knows me don't write in and say I'm already his age!!

Even his writing is elegant. Well done, sir. Well done.

It's just a cool little place to go and look at some well-dressed individuals, which provides a sharp counterpoint to my recent excursions to this place. ***shudder***

Schoooooool's out for...eternity?

I believe God uses unlikely people in unlikely ways. Still, this blog entry caught me off guard. I mean, who would think that God could use this guy:

This passage really jumped out at me:

"We have to make a choice. And everybody, at some point in their lives, has to make that choice. When people say, 'How do you believe this? Why do you believe this?' I just say nothing else speaks to my heart. This doesn't speak to my intellect, it doesn't speak to my logic -- it speaks right to my heart and right to my soul, deeper than anything I've ever thought of. And I totally believe it. That being said, I'm not a very good Christian. I mean, none of us are ever 'good' Christians. That's not the point. When you're a Christian, it doesn't mean you're going to be good; it means you've got a harder road to pull."

If you're going to take a 5 minute vacation...

...you could certainly do worse than this site. I love the shots of Zion.



That having been said, her artwork leaves more than just a little to be desired. To wit:

I like the Moon...

Every once in a while, I just need to visit the Spong Monkeys(go here and click on We Like the Moon on the left side) to remember not to get too serious about things. Today was one of those days. Tomorrow might be, too....

On those days when I need a second reminder, I use this as my back up plan, which works, quite frankly, almost as well...

The World According to PEEP

If you're like me, an integral part of the Easter experience, along with That multi-colored basket straw, new clothes for church and shoes that squeaked, was PEEPS!

For those of you interested, here is a Peeps Research Page, including information on their response to cold (Liquid Nitrogen and a hammer V. Peep!) and heat, among others.

Also, THIS SITE offers Peep Invaders and Peep-steroids, combining one of the classic food groups of my youth with two of the greatest games ever invented.

The Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) does factory tours. You can go HERE to see the tour of the Peep Factory.

If you just can't get enough, check out:
Peep Haikus...
Alien Abduction of Peeps...
Traveling Peeps...
Voodoo Peep...
And finally a comprehensive Peep Resource Page

Get on your bikes and ride...

I found THIS while taking a five minute vacation (my name for those brief periods between tasks when you need to clear your mind before moving on to the next task). Hope you enjoy it as much as I did...

More perspective...

...on the recent discovery of a Judas document from my friend George to be found IN THIS ARTICLE...

The Gospel according to WHOM????

Early indications are that THIS is the Gospel according to Judas. One of the more amazing claims?

Craig Evans, a professor at Acadia Divinity College in Nova Scotia, Canada, said New Testament explanations for Judas' betrayal range from money to the influence of Satan.

"Perhaps more now can be said," he commented. The document "implies that Judas only did what Jesus wanted him to do."

Apparently, this Gospel was mentioned by Bishop Irenaeus of Lyon about 180 AD, who stated the manuscript was a heretical document because it differed so drastically from mainstream Christianity. Until now, people believed the document was lost.

Elaine Pagels, a professor of religion at Princeton University, said, "The people who loved, circulated and wrote down these gospels did not think they were heretics."

In the understatement of the year...

Added Rev. Donald Senior, president of the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago: "Let a vigorous debate on the significance of this fascinating ancient text begin."

I'm certain "vigorous debate" doesn't even begin to explain what';s about to happen...

A second account of the story can be FOUND HERE.

Fish or Cut Balls...

Each of us bites off more than we can chew at some point in our lives. At those times, I'm thankful for those people who can exercise quick thinking and cut through things quickly. When I saw this fella, I knew exactly how he felt.



My friend Mary sent me this picture, as well as the person cutting through to save his life. She added the quote: "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." Thanks for a great reminder...

Conversion: The Penalty Phase

I've been watching THIS STORY for two days now. Abdul Rahman has converted from Islam to Christianity. The problem for him is that he lives in Afghanistan...where the penalty for apostasy is death.

Some things that made me think, in reading the article. First, they are trying to find a way to get him "off the hook" and be spared.

One state prosecutor, Sarinwal Zamari, said: "We think he could be mad. He is not a normal person. He doesn't talk like a normal person.

No, he probably doesn't talk like a "sane" person. I think that's part of it. Called by Him, we are asked to be different. In the world, but differentiated from it as not part of the world. It begins with our speech.

Mr Rahman reportedly lived in Germany for nine years before returning to his war-scarred homeland. Mr Rahman was arrested just over two weeks ago when his parents told police about his conversion.

His parents told the police? I don't even know where to go with this one.

He told a judge last week he became a Christian while working for an aid group helping Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

Again, I see that call to serve. How important it is, and how others will come to know Jesus: by our love.

So, Abdul is facing the death penalty for his conversion. What's the worst thing I face? What's the worst thing you face. And how far would you go?

When you pray...

...say a word for the people of Belarus. They have begun a revolution, of sorts, and there is no telling how or when it will end. After fixed elections (old-school Soviet style) the people have begun taking to the streets.

It is a frigid, risky vigil, given the Belarussian weather and the government's history of reflexive brutality against those who dare to stand and call for better lives than Mr. Lukashenko's island of Soviet nostalgia and corruption has been able, or willing, to provide.

This story gives a good overview of the situation. Many of you know about the people I met during my stay there. You can read more about my trip HERE.

I wish I had this kind of time...

I mean really, where DO people find the time to run sites like THIS ONE?

Fishona Non Grata

Sorry...have been up to my eyeballs, if anyone is still out there. More to follow this week, as I hope things will be lightening up a bit.

Sales trip: Beauty and the beast...

I went to Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago, arriving the day after they had won the AFC Championship. It was like a ghost town. I had a feeling the denizens of P-Burgh were slinking away from all loud noises and bright lights. The thought of sunshine would have been unbearable.

I can’t imagine what it would be like the day after they won the Big Game (can I say Superbowl?). I mean that literally. I’m an Eagles fan (shown here in a more optimistic moment before the season began and 2 blew the team up) I cannot imagine what the day after winning the Superbowl would be like…I have no frame of reference.

So I drive into this ghost town, half-expecting tumbleweeds to roll by. I had my first three meetings of the day then head for the hotel. This is where the surreal nature of the sales person’s job hit me once again. I went down to the bar for a drink to unwind after the day. There were two separate conventions going on.

The first was Fein Power tools. It was what you’d expect, a bunch of burly, mostly-flannel-wearing guys, standing around talking power tools. Drills…mitre saws…all that cool stuff. The second was a group of beauticians, catching up on the newest trends in hairstyling, lipstick and blush. So it’s these younger women and hairstyling guys mingling with power tool dudes. It was time to pull up a chair.

The interactions were interesting, but there was also a macabre factor when the beauticians brought out the styling heads. They set the disembodied heads on the bar and on the tables surrounding the bar, and started partying with the Fein guys. I still wish I had the presence of mind to bring a camera. Heads on tables, power tool guys, and power tools.I just kept waiting for someone to turn it into the massacre it appeared on the surface…

Finally, Some Good Viking News

I took this test to find out my Viking name and personality. Here's what I got. Good luck.

Rauðúlfr Quicklegs
Your Viking Personality: You're a fearsome Viking, but you aren't completely uncivilized. The other Vikings make fun of you for that. You have a thirst for battle, and tend to strike first and think later. You might be able to hold your own on the battlefield, but you're no "berserker".

A long sea voyage aboard a Viking longboat would be difficult for you, but you might be able to manage it. You possess some skills which other Vikings respect.

You have a fairly pragmatic attitude towards life, and tend not to expend effort in areas where it would be wasted. Due to your gregariousness, you don't strike fear into the hearts of your victims. Try to be a little more surly in the future.

...and speaking of Vikings...
I'm the one on the left in this video...absolutely PRICELESS!

C-I-L-L the Refs!

Let's face it: The referees are terrible. They don't know how to call things correctly. They don't hear very well, either. And now we find out, they can't even spell. I'm not talking about the Big Football Game (I'm not sure I am allowed to say Superbowl...). I'm talking about the Reno Nevada Spelling Bee.

Apparently, Sara Beckman spelled "discernible" correctly but got rung up anyway. There was no immediate dispute, so she lost her right to appeal. Her parents are doing what any red-blooded American Family would do. They're considering suing:

Her mother, Cindy, calls herself a "momma bear with her bear claws out" and is ready to go to court.

A school spokesperson responded:

[H]e hopes everybody can sit down together and work something out. He says defending a lawsuit over a spelling bee isn't a good way to spend school district money.

Interestingly:

Sara says she'd just like another chance, since it's her last spelling bee.

Sara, you're going to have lots of chances to spell things correctly. It's called life.

A Quote to get you focused...

I found this one amusing: "Men are clinging to football on a level we aren't even aware of. For centuries, we ruled everything, and now, in the last ten minutes, there are all these incursions by women. It's our Alamo."

---Tony Kornheiser

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Apparently, Alex Tew does. He rented out space on this site for a buck a spot, with one million "Space Available" signs...he sold out. Careful, though: Alex is careful to point out that he bears no responsibility for where the Internet takes you once you click on a link.

Thanks to my friend Eric for the heads up on this one.